Deferred

• Age and Service Requirement for Deferred Retirements
• Health Benefits and Life Insurance Coverage
• Commencing Date of Deferred Retirement
• Survivor Benefits
• Computation of Deferred Benefit
• Applying for Deferred Benefit
• If You Die Before Applying for a Deferred Annuity

If you are a former Federal employee who was covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), you may be eligible for a deferred annuity at age 62.

Age and Service Requirement for Deferred Retirements

You are eligible for a deferred annuity if you meet the following age and service requirements:

Type of Retirement	Minimum Age	Minimum Service	Special Requirements
Deferred	62	5 years of civilian service	Covered by the Civil Service Retirement law for at least 1 year out of the last 2 years preceding the final separation on which your entitlement is based. Did not receive a refund of retirement deductions covering your final period of service

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Health Benefits and Life Insurance Coverage

If you receive a deferred annuity, you are not eligible to continue any health benefits and life insurance coverage you had while employed.

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Commencing Date of Deferred Retirement

The deferred annuity commences on your 62nd birthday, no matter when you apply for it.

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Survivor Benefits

If you are married when your annuity begins, it will be computed with a reduction to provide maximum survivor benefits (55% of your unreduced annuity) for your spouse upon your death. You can elect to provide a partial survivor benefit (less than 55% of your unreduced annuity) or no survivor benefits; however, you must get your spouse’s consent to elect either of these options. You can also elect a survivor annuity for a former spouse or an insurable interest survivor benefit.

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Computation of Deferred Benefit

Your deferred annuity is based on the length of service and high-3 average salary in effect when you separated from Federal service. In the years between the date of separation and age 62, the average salary is not adjusted by any intervening cost-of-living adjustments. Your accrued and unused sick leave balance at the time of your separation is not creditable for eligibility or computation purposes in a deferred retirement.

View CSRS Computation page

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Applying for Deferred Benefit

Form to Use:

Use OPM Form 1496A, Application for Deferred Retirement, to apply for deferred retirement benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System.

When to Apply:

Send your application to OPM approximately 60 days before your 62nd birthday.   Send your completed application to:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Post Office Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017

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If You Die Before Applying for a Deferred Annuity

No survivor annuity is payable to a former employee’s spouse, former spouse, or children if the former employee has title to a deferred annuity but dies before reaching age 62, or reaches age 62, but dies before filing an application for CSRS retirement.  The only benefit payable in either case would be a lump-sum payment of the former employee’s retirement contributions, without interest.